The groups are set for the Emirates NBA Cup 2026.
All 30 teams have been randomly drawn into groups of five within their conference based on win-loss records from the 2025-26 regular season.
The Emirates NBA Cup will tip off on Friday, October 30 in NBA team markets. Group Play games will be played every Friday from October 30 through November 27, with additional “Cup Nights” on Tuesday, November 24 and Wednesday, November 25.
The groups are available below.
West Group A
Denver Nuggets
Houston Rockets
Phoenix Suns
Dallas Mavericks
Utah Jazz
West Group B
Oklahoma City Thunder
Minnesota Timberwolves
LA Clippers
New Orleans Pelicans
Memphis Grizzlies
West Group C
San Antonio Spurs
Los Angeles Lakers
Portland Trail Blazers
Golden State Warriors
Sacramento Kings
East Group A
- Detroit Pistons
- Toronto Raptors
- Orlando Magic
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Brooklyn Nets
East Group B
- New York Knicks
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Miami Heat
- Indiana Pacers
East Group C
- Boston Celtics
- Atlanta Hawks
- Charlotte Hornets
- Chicago Bulls
- Washington Wizards
The Quarterfinals (Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5) and Semifinals (Tuesday, Dec. 8 and/or Wednesday, Dec. 9) will take place in NBA team markets before the tournament concludes with the Championship on Friday, December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Emirates NBA Cup Key Dates
- Group Play: Oct. 30; Nov. 6, 13, 20, 24, 25 & 27
- Quarterfinals: Dec. 4-5
- Semifinals: Dec. 8 and/or Dec. 9
- Championship: Dec. 11
The 2025-26 New York Knicks became the first team to win the Emirates NBA Cup and NBA Championship in the same season.
Emirates NBA Cup History
Over the three-year history of the Emirates NBA Cup, a connection between success during the in-season tournament and the NBA postseason has developed, culminating in a Knicks vs. Spurs matchup in both the 2025 Cup Championship Game and the 2026 NBA Finals in the same season.
Following a run to the Cup title game in the inaugural event in 2023, the Indiana Pacers went on to reach the NBA Finals the following season – their first run that deep in 25 years.
A year later, the OKC Thunder fell in the Cup Championship, before winning the NBA Finals to close out the 2024-25 season.
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